title: Efficacy of perioperative pregabalin in acute and chronic post-operative pain after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the efficacy of perioperative pregabalin on acute and chronic post-operative pain after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients undergoing elective OPCAB surgery were randomized to pregabalin and control groups. Pregabalin group received 150 mg pregabalin 2 h prior to induction of anesthesia and 75 mg twice daily for 2 post-operative days whereas the control group received placebo at similar timings; pregabalin and placebo were administered by an anesthesiologist blinded to the drugs. Pain scores (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and sedation scores were observed at 0, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after extubation. Time to extubation, tramadol consumption and side-effects were noted. VAS score was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The analysis of variance test for repeated measures was used for comparison of the means of continuous variables. Group comparisons were made using the Chi-square-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain-scores at 6, 12, 24 and 36 h from extubation at rest and at deep breath were less in pregabalin treated patients ( P < 0.05). Tramadol consumption was reduced by 60% in pregabalin group ( P < 0.001). Extent of sedation, extubation times and incidence of nausea were comparable. The effect on chronic post-operative pain was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perioperative pregabalin reduced pain scores at rest and deep breath and reduced consumption of tramadol in the post-operative period without delaying extubation and causing excessive sedation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shreedhar S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jagadeesh
mesh_terms: D059787:Acute Pain; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D059350:Chronic Pain; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid